Sunday, October 28, 2012

It was the end of the trip, we'd left the ship, enjoyed seeing Darwin, moved on to Kakadu National Park, and ended up here in Arnhem Land.

Paula and I were hardly up for 106 degrees in blazing sun, armpit soaking, water slurping, dripping humidity, and the red dust of Australia's remote Northern Territory - known as the 'Top End'. However, thrill seekers (fools perhaps), sign on for crazy adventures such as this.................and we can now look back and share memories of how exciting one of the more strange days we shared down under.

The magic bus appeared early morning at our crocodile hotel in the Kakadu (more on that another time!)

with Miss Leah at the wheel......and just four more

crazy tourists hopped aboard with us.

Above, Cahill's Crossing on the Alligator River (but

remember, there are no alligators in Australia,

only crocodiles).

First stop, the Border Store for the outdoor bathroom

break, snacks and cold drinks...............

.............and to watch this little Aboriginal boy

fascinated by a faux crocodile swimming in in a large pot!

Of course the crocs rule here...........warning signs

are everywhere and being close to water is somewhat

nerve wracking.....................

..........which is why I'm scoffing down my lunch

on the billabong beach where Leah said to stay

waaaaay back from the water!

While eating, we were suddenly joined by several

decrepit vehicles speeding through the sand within inches

of us. Overloaded with Aboriginals, these cars were

heading to a funeral in a nearby village. We and our

food were soon coated in sand........hardly a

bucolic country picnic.

The Arnhem Land Region's population is 16,230 and it

has been occupied by Indigenous people for tens of

thousands of years. It is the location of the

oldest-known stone axe, which scholars believe to be

35,000 years old.

The climate here is tropical monsoon with a wet and a dry season.

Temperatures do not fluctuate widely throughout the year, it's always hot.

Declared an Aboriginal Reserve in 1931, it remains one of the largest in Australia and is best known for its isolation, the art of its people, and the strong continuing traditions of its Indigenous inhabitants.

Some areas of deep cultural significance to the

Indigenous inhabitants are off-limits even to those

with permission to travel across Arnhem Land.

The land is beautiful in a rather melancholy way......silence

is pervasive. Lots of birdlife, especially around the

wetland areas - the billibongs - which are small, stagnant

lakes adjacent to, or cut off from, a river or creek, and

often dry up completely in the dry season. We were visiting

at the very end of the dry, the wet coming hot our trail

we were told.

Arnhem Land Region - northeastern corner of the

Northern Territory, Australia..........a spectacular

and diverse landscape, a different place where the culture and art of the Indigenous people remains strong.

Cooked and drained mini penne, which was all I had in the cupboard, but it worked well. In a large skillet I heated a little olive oil, added a bag of washed and dried baby spinach and allowed it to wilt, threw in the warm penne. Tossed in a small log, cut into chunks, of Trader Joe's fresh goat cheese with black olives, stirred gently until heated through, then added the pumpkin cubes (which I first reheated in the micro because they had cooled off). Plated scattered with a wee bit of fresh grated Parmesan cheese, and more fresh ground pepper - we're off the salt these days. It was very good.......next day leftovers even better perhaps because I did add a dash of heavy cream........and I gobbled it all for lunch.......

the public areas.............most for sale, and definitely not cheap - the Australian dollar being almost at parity with the US dollar.

Note the Barramundi fish...........one of the most

popular served in Australia and really is delicious.

Our young dining room waitress provided a great answer when we asked where she lived, Gagudju being a very small place. "In the croc's tail with my boyfriend who's the hotel handyman". On-site employee housing of a difference...........we rolled over giggling when we fell into our comfy crocodile hotel beds that night!

Beautifully rendered on canvas, but difficult to display in a French style decorated cottage....I did not buy!!

See below for an explanation of this art.

Wandjina figures are some of the most visually striking of all images in Kimberley art, the Wandjina people said to be 'the creator beings of the Dreaming' and that they made their world and all it contains.

Wandjina are usually painted as full-length, or head and shoulder figures, either standing or lying horizontally. Their large mouthless faces feature enormous black eyes flanking a beak-like nose. The head is usually surrounded by a band with outward radiating lines. Elaborate head-dresses are both the hair of the Wandjinas and clouds. Long lines coming from the hair are the feathers which they wore and the lightning which they control. Ceremonies to ensure the timely beginning of the monsoon wet season and sufficient rainfall are held in December and January, following which the rains usually begin.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR is a fresh version of my former three year blog ACROSS THE POND which can still be accessed by clicking on the title above.I'm a transplanted Brit enjoying life in North Carolina.

Fifty five years of journeying back and forth across the wide Atlantic Ocean have kept me busy…….and made my life very interesting! Although I've now visited all seven continents, I continue to travel and look forward to sharing new places around the world.I love taking photos! All images are my own unless noted otherwise. Please do not use my photos without a request. I enjoy sharing and will usually say OK!

Malaysia 2012

Singapore 2012

Hawaii 2012

Hoi An 2011

Vietnam 2011

Chiang Mai 2011

Bangkok 2011

TASMANIA 2011

Australia Nov. 2011

Expedition Cruising 2011

M/V Orion

Sub-Antarctic 2011

King Penguins

My African Safari...May 2010

The Lion

Africa 2010

The Leopard

Africa 2010

Remembering Africa - 2010

Lassen National Park, California

Thanks so much for reading along this far……if you've enjoyed my tales and photos and would like to see more, click on the Older Posts button, or the photo thumbnails above to take you back…there are awesome countries and exciting adventures. If you love to decorate your personal space, dig and delve in your garden, and turn out tasty morsels from your kitchen..........you're at the right place!